Pipe-coupling.



s. L. BROWN.

PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION III ED 00T.1, 1912.

Patented Apr. 8, 1913.

, 2 W F V w SYDNEY L. BROWN, 0]? MAMA BONECK, NEW YORK.

PIPE-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8, 1 91 3.

Application filed October 1, 1912. Serial No. 723,344.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, SYDNEY L. Brown, aresident of Mamaroneck, in the county of VVestchester and State of NewYork, (whose post-oflice address is 1 Tenney avenue, Harbor Heights,Mamaroneck, New York,) have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Pipe-Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

. My invention relates to couplers adapted to connect a plurality ofpipes or hollow fluid conductors; and aims particularly to provide acoupler of this type capable of advantageousutilization in connectionwith pipes formed of lead or other relatively plastic material; suchcoupler being especially capaeitated to flare or expand, or aid in theflaring or expanding of, the adjacent endportions of the coupled pipes.

The cardinal object contemplated is to provide a coupler adapted to'gripthe expanded portion of a pipe in a more positive manner than has beenpossible heretofore, and whereby a substantially air-tight closure willbe secured, preferably without necessity for other manipulation thanthat which may be effected manually; thereby torender possible thepassage through said coupler of any fluid without the leakage of anypart thereof.

Another object is to provide an efficient coupler which will enable asmooth boreconnection to be formed thereby.

Another object is to provide acoupler of the above type including arelatively small number of different parts.

Another object is to provide a coupler of the above type which can beeasily and quickly coupled and uncoupled when desired.

- Another object is to provide a simple coupler, wherein the. partsthereof are capable of inexpensive manufacture.

Another object. is to provide a coupler characterized by the aboveadvantages, and which may be used in connection with pipes ofcomparatively small diameter.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

To these ends, my invention generally consists in the novel arrangement,construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more specificallyset forth and described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

I am aware that many types of coupler 4 includes a plurality teredrespectively, .(A), (B), and (C), and

have been devised, each comprised essentially of a pipe-encirclingmember adjacent an end thereof, in combination with an auxlhary membercarrying a substantially cone-shaped portion adapted to bear against theinterior wall of said pipe (he einafter referred to as a forcing-conesaid members being capable of relative movement one with reference tothe other, to grip the end portion of the pipe.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown one of thevarious possible embodiments of this invention: Figure 1' is a view inside elevation showing in unconnected relation two adjacent pipes andthe several elements comprising the coupler, one of said elements beingpartly in section; F ig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of saidpipes and said elements, showing the relation of the parts upon thecompletion of the coupling; Fig. 3 is a similar view, on an enlargedscale and partly broken away, showing diagrammatically the angularvalues considered in arriving at the efiiciency angle hereinaftermentioned; Fig.

of diagrams, letshowing successive stages in a preferable treatment ofeach adjacent end of the pipe to be joined, preliminarily to applyingthe part 18 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6; Fig. 5 is a longitudinalsectional view, partly broken away, showing more clearly the generalcharacteristics of one of said elements; Fig. 6 is a similar View, on anenlarged scale and partly in elevation, showing the generalcharacteristics of another of said elements.

Similar reference characters referto similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

I desire to state at the outset that in coupling-up pipes of plasticmaterial, my experiments and trials have clearly demonstratedto me thatthere exists a vital necessity to be met, a necessity which requiresthat the pipe-encircling member should receive the pipe-end before theauxiliary member is applied thereto; rather than that the pipe-end befirst jammed around the forcing-cone within the auxiliary member, whichlatter method has been generally and mistakenly contemplated by personsactive in this art. In practice I have found that if the latter methodbe followed, or constructions contemplating its sequence be utilized,

many disadvantages arise. Notably among these disadvantages is the factthat the sometimes fruitless endeavors to force the pipe-end around theforcing-cone usually cause crinkling, twisting and probably irreparableinjury to the pipe. Moreover, there is an important disadvantageexistent in the concomitant necessity for relative movement between saidpipe-encircling member and the pipe itself. I have found that there is apractical and positive gain in clamping efliciency when, on the otherhand, such relative movement is properly between the interior wall ofsaid pipe and the straightsloped forcing-cone carried; by the auxiliarymember aforesaid. Furthermore in thisconnection, I have alsofound itpreferable to have the pipe-encirclin member snugly sleeve said pipe.Accordingly it would be very difiicult, even if this were not in itselfdetrimental to the coupling efficiency and dangerous to the integrity ofthe pipe itself, due to the exceedingly high co-efiicient of frictionpresent by virtue of the relative plasticity of the latter, to causerelative movement between said pipe-end and said pipe-encircling member.These considerations, among others, led to the conception anddevelopment of the present invention.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, numerals 7 and 8representrespectively a plurality of pipes to be connected. 9 represents one ofthe pipe-encircling members aforesaid, and 10 another of saidpipe-encircling members. I shall for convenience utilize the designationthimble in referring hereinafter to either of said members. Thimble 9 isas shown provided interiorly with a cupped portion 11, and exteriorlywith a nut-portion l2 and a plurality of threads 13. "Thimble 10 isprovided with a similar cupped portion 14 and a similar nutportion 15.The threads 16 carried by said thimble 10, however, are opposed indirection, with the parts grouped as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, tothe threads 13 carried by said thimble 9, said threads 13 and 16 beingrespectively right-handed and left-handed; the purpose of which willappear hereinafter. Thimbles 9 and 10 are each preferably, but notnecessarily, provided as shown with an interior annular groove 17 (wideparticularly Fig. 5),, the function of which, as will be hereinaftermore clearly apparent, is to allow the plastic pipe-wall to be forced tobite thereinto, thereby to aid in the coupling-security. 18 representsthe hereinbefore-mentioned auxiliary member, which for convenience Ishall hereinafter designate the connector. Connector 18 is here providedas shown with a central bore 19, a plurality of chambers 20 and 21, anda forcing-cone 22 within each of said chambers. j Each of said chamberscarries interiorly a plurality of threads as shown; the threads carriedwithin one of said chambers being, however, dissimilar in direction tothe threads carried within said other chamber, whereby, upon properlyadjusting said connector relatively to said thimble, so that the threadswithin chamber 20 will be reciprocally positioned with reference tothreads 13 on thimble 9 simultaneously with the reciprocal positioningof the threads within chamber 21 with reference to threads 16 on thimble10, and upon turning said connector in a single direction relatively toboth said thimbles, the former will draw the latter together to completethe coupling. Forcing cones 22 are each preferably, but not necessarily,provided as shown with a helical thread or land 23 (wide particularlyFig. 6), the function and lie of each of which threads are to engagewith the inner surface of the plastic pipewall in furtherance of theefficient expansion of said pipe and the final clenching thereof.

The method of application of this invention to initiate and complete acoupling operation should be sufliciently clear from the foregoingdescription; and I desire now to call attention to an advantageousfeature of my invention which resides in the important fact that, (inView of the novel arrangement of parts which I provide and whereby asaforesaid the male expanding instrumentality, or forcing-cone, isapplied finally and dynamically rather than, as heretofore, initiallyand quiescently), each pipe-end is adapted to'be quickly andconveniently given a preliminary treatment which I have found to behighly desirable.

I refer now to Fig. 4, Diagrams (A), (B) and (C). I11 Diagram (A) thepipe7 is disposed preparatory to being inserted into thimble 9, asindicated by the arrow. In Diagram (B), said pipe 7 is shown fullyinserted within said thimble. And in Diagram (C) the pipe-end 17 isshown disposed within said thimble after receiving said preliminarytreatment; which treatment preferably consists in manually grasping theoutside of thimble 9 in one hand and utilizing in the other an ordinarywire nail, priclepunch or the like simple instrumentality, to the extentof inserting the latter obliquely within the portion 17 of said pipeshown in Diagram (B), and thereupon giving the same a plurality of turnsuntil the said portion 17 assumes approximately the position illustratedin Diagram (C) or at least is provided with a slight flare the wall ofthis flared portion of course decreasin in thickness toward the outerend. This slight preliminary .flare serves to maintain the pipe-endnested practically rearwardly-irremovable within its thimble, and liesin the path of, and tends to encompass, the summit of the approachingforcing-cone. These new and desirable results are made possible becauseof the fact that, after the pipe-end the expanded, relativelythin-in-cross-section edge 17 (said Fig. 8) of the clenched pipe.

I have shown in the drawings an embodiment of this invention, forpurposes of illustration, having its relatively movable parts equippedwith exterior nut-portions in aid of their manual or othermanipulations; .and it is of course obvious that other exteriorcharacteristics, such as nurlings, kerfs or the like could beadvantageously substituted.

I am aware of the fact that unitary connectors, each provided at itsrespective endportions with opposed threads, have been heretoforeutilized for the purpose of drawing up and connecting at one operationtwo separate elements to be connected; but by employing such a pluralityof dissimilar instrumentalities in connection with a unitary structurecarrying in combination therewith the plurality of similar forcing-coneshere inbefore described, I have made it possible to secure in anexpander-coupler a positive and certain expansion and substantiallyairtight gripping of the contiguous ends of the coupled pipes in amanner not heretofore attainable. .I have moreover attained this resultwith an exceedingly small number of relatively movable parts, all toldthree in number; two of which, the thimbles, are substantially similar.

I have made what I believe is an important discovery in this art, and Ihave embodied the lesson of the same as one of the features of thedevice illustrated in the drawings. I call attention particularly toFig. 3. In practice I have found that if the parts are so designed (withthe line o-d assumed parallel to the longitudinal axis ms noted that indevices which have heretofore carried a forcing-cone similar to theforcing-cone herein disclosed, the direction of slope of any one of saidforcing-cones has been either parallel to the direction of slope of theline e---;; or else parallel to the direction of slope of the lineI(/-/L. The angle /z-(l (which I may call the measure of the angularapproach of the interior wall of the expanded pipe-end toward thelongitudinal axis of the pipe is seen to be greater than the angle 7')@d (which I may call the measure of the. angular approach of the exteriorwall of the expanded pipe-end toward the longitudinalaxis of the pipe itbeing seen that the lines e-p and ]l.[/

will at some point in intersect. Now, in order to secure the importantadvantage of having the forcing-cone, upon manipulation of therelatively movable parts, approach. the portion of the pipe alreadynested as, aforesaid within the encircling thimble, thereby tocomn'ience the pinching action upon the pipe-end at the portion 17thereof and near the base of said forcing cone, I preferably design theslope of the latter in such a way that its angular approach to thelinec(l is, as diagrammatically shown, equal to a still greater angle thanthe angle ]l(l, to wit, the angle p-fd, experimentally determined. Forpurposes of reference, I call the angle lik-f the efficiency angle ofthe forcingcone.

. It will be observed that the main bore of the thimble 9 has a diametergreater than that of the member 18, and that thediameter of the bore inmember 18 is equal to the internal diameter of the pipe, 7-, 8.Furthermore, when the parts are assembled as in Fig. 3, the outersurface of the forcing cone or taper-extension 22, and the opposed innersurface of the taper-cup gradually converge, being farthest apart in aline joining the end of said truncation with the nearest point on theopposed inner surface of the taper-cup, which line is longer than thenormal thickness of the pipe wall. From this it follows that there isroom between the end of the truncation and the opposed wall of thethimble, for the increased thickness of pipe due to the fact that theouter end of the pipe is being compressed, thus driving the materialinwardly. Except for the provision made as described .above. thisincreased thickness would take the form of an herently the advantageshereinabove mentioned and which is peculiarly adapted for utilizationwith pipes of relatively small diameters and wall thicknesses, such as,for

instance, pipes employed in water-filtering circulations and 1n theair-circulations of pneumatically operated piano-actions or the like.Various other modifications and changes in the design and construct-ionof my improved coupler may be resorted to, however, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Inasmuch as many changes could be made in the above construction, andmany apparently widely difl'erent embodiments 0. my invention could bemade without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense. It is also to be understood that the language used in thefollowing claims is intended to cover all the generic and specificfeatures of the invention herein described and all statements of thescope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said tofall therebetween.

I desire it to be understood that wherever I use the word unitary withreference to anyparticular element, I mean that such element is integralfor all practical purposes; in other words, without relativelymanipulative parts. 1

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire 'tosecureby Letters Patent, is: p

1. In a device of the kind described, in combination, a threaded thimblehaving a main bore and an outwardly flaring tapercup communicating withthe main bore; a pipe of compressible material within the thimble andhaving a flared mouth within and conforming to the taper-cup, thethickness of the Wall of said flared portion gradually decreasing towardthe outer end thereof; a member provided with a bore having a vestibuledportion that is threaded to engage the threads on the thimble, andhaving also within the vestibuled portion a truncated taper-extensionsurrounding the bore of the member, which taper-extension, when saidthimble and member are threaded together, is adapted to enter the flaredmouth of the pipe, with the bore of the pipe substantially alined withthe borerof the memher, the slope of said taper-extension being at agreater angle to the axis thereof than the angle at which the innersurface of the pipeflare extends from the axis of the pipe.

2. In a device of the kind described, in combination, a threaded thimblehaving a mam bore and an outwardly flarin tapercup communicating withthe main ore; a' member having a bore of less diameter than saidtruncation with the nearest point on the opposed surface of the thimble,which line is longer than the difference between the radius of thethimble .bore and the radius of the bore of said member.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination, a threadedthimble having a main bore and an outwardly flaring tapercupcommunicating with the main bore; a pipe of compressible material withinthe thimble and having a flared mouth within and conforming to thetaper-cup; a member having a bore of a diameter less than that of thethimble and equal to the internal diameter of the pipe, said memberhaving a vestibuled portion that is threaded to engage with the threadson the thimble, and having also within the vestibuled portion atruncated taper-extension surrounding the bore of the member, whichtaper-extension, when said thimble and member are threaded together, isadapted to enter the flared mouth 7 of the pipe, with the bore of thepipe substantially alined with the bore of the member, the slope of saidtaper-extension being at a greater angle to the axis thereof than theangle at which the inner surface of the pipe flare extends from the axisof the pipe, the opposed surfaces of the taper-extension and taper-cupgradually converging and farthest apart in a line joining the end ofsaid truncation with the nearest point on the opposed surface of thethimble, which line is longer than the normal thickness of the main pipewall.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo witnesses.

SYDNEY L. BROWN. Witnesses A. C. MoDoNNELL, S. S. NEWTON.

